About conan doyle

There is probably no one among book-lovers who has not heard of Sherlock Holmes, the skilful and clever detective in the stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes's method of analysing the most difficult problems was to notice the smallest facts, even if they seemed unimportant. His method never failed; the criminal always had do give up, and to become a prisoner of the great detective.

Conan Doyle once arrived in Paris, after spending a month in the south of France. There was a long row of cabs outside the gate of the railway station. Conan Doyle got into the first cab and ordered the driver to take him to a good hotel. The driver was silent all the way to the hotel, but when Conan Doyle paid him, he said, "Thank you. Sir Conan Doyle."

"How do you know who I am?" Conan Doyle asked in the greatest surprise.

"I have never seen you before," the man answered, "so I can't pretend that I have recognized you. But I have always been proud of my memory. Besides, I have always been able to notice small things. I read in the newspapers that you were expected in Paris after your vacation in the south of France. The train you arrived on came from the south of France. I could tell from your clothes, especially your hat, and also from the strange way you pronounce French words that you were English. These facts helped me to guess that you were probably Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

"Fine words! Wonderful" Conan Doyle cried. "You have analysed the facts quite correctly. It's a pity you aren't a detective!"

"Of course," the driver added, "your name is on both your travelling bags. I can't pretend that the fact didn't help."

b) Read the text again and answer the following questions.

1. What do you know about Sherlock Holmes?

2. Who is the author of the stories about Sherlock Holmes?

3. What did Conan Doyle do when he arrived in Paris?

4. What did the driver say when Conan Doyle paid him for his work?

5. How did the driver explain his guess?

6. What was Conan Doyle's reaction to the driver's deductions?

7. What really helped the driver to guess who was his passenger?

c) Retell the text as if you were the driver.

PRESENT PERFECT PERSONALITY QUIZ

What kind of person are you? Find out by taking the Present Perfect Personality Quiz!

Directions: Complete each question with Participle II of the correct irregular verb and answer the question for yourself.

1. Have you ever ridden a horse? (ride)

a) Yes. b) No.

2. Have you ever ______ a bone? (break)

3. Have you ever ______ a song in front of other people? (sing)

4. Have you ever ______ an airplane? (fly)

5. Have you ever ______ a fish? (catch)

6. Have you ever ______ money in a lottery? (win)

7. Have you ever ______ your homework 5 minutes before class? (do)

8. Have you ever ______ a wild animal? (feed)

9. Have you ever ______ for 24 hours? (sleep)

10. Have you ever ______ a book with more than 1000 pages? (read)

11. Have you ever ______ someone money? (lend)

12. Have you ever ______ a contest? (win)

13. Have you ever ______ with sharks? (swim)

14. Have you ever ______ hands with a famous person? (shake)

15. Have you ever ______ something that you made yourself? (sell)

16. Have you ever ______ a boyfriend/girlfriend more than 10 years older than yourself? (have)

17. Have you ever ______ you were flying? (dream)

18. Have you ever ______ faster than 100 miles per hour? (drive)

19. Have you ever ______ out of a tree? (fall)

20. Have you ever ______ a U.F.O.? (see)

21. Have you ever ______ someone a secret letter? (send)

22. Have you ever ______ a surprise party for someone? (arrange)

23. Have you ever ______ a big sum of money? (lose)

24. Have you ever ______ on the beach until you were sunburned? (lay)

25. Have you ever ______ a poem or a story about your life? (write)

26. Have you ever ______ a campfire? (light)

27. Have you ever ______ on your head? (stand)

28. Have you ever ______ farther than 5 miles? (run)

29. Have you ever ______ a tiger growl? (hear)

30. Have you ever ______ a sand castle at the beach? (build)

31. Have you ever ______ your own vegetables? (grow)

32. Have you ever ______ a picture of yourself? (draw)

33. Have you ever ______ someone your baby pictures? (show)

34. Have you ever ______ someone else's hair? (cut)

35. Have you ever ______ seriously about living in another country? (think)

Now count the number of "YES" answers and find the number below. Then read your personality description.

1 - 11 YES answers: Your thoughts and dreams are more important to you than to most people. You prefer not to take too many chances and only do things which you are sure you will succeed at. You are probably a little shy and do not want to appear foolish in front of other people. You don't like large groups of people but have a few close friends and enjoy spending time with them. You are a good student and perhaps you would be a wonderful writer, artist, or musician.

12-21 YES answers: Congratulations! You take good care of yourself and also share your gifts with other people. Sometimes you go a little crazy, but you know your limits and make wise decisions. You spend time with your friends but also enjoy quiet time for yourself. Because of your many talents, people often ask you for your opinion on their problems. You can do many things well and no challenge is too large for you. You are sure to be successful in whatever profession you choose.

22+ YES answers: Wow! You are very sure of yourself and you are probably very outgoing. You're the kind of person who is not afraid to take chances (although maybe sometimes you don't think about things enough before making a decision). You enjoy all that life has to offer and like being with people. While you really love excitement, you also know how to enjoy relaxing activities. As long as you listen to your heart and your head, there is nothing to stop you from accomplishing your dreams.